Swimming pool vacuum apparatus

ABSTRACT

A vacuum apparatus ( 20 ) includes an intermediate chamber ( 30 ) interposed between inlet and outlet sections ( 28, 32 ). A fluid supply pipe ( 46 ) resides inside the intermediate chamber ( 30 ) and supplies fluid ( 62 ) under pressure toward the outlet section ( 32 ). An inner diameter ( 96 ) the outlet section ( 32 ) is smaller than an inner diameter ( 94 ) of the intermediate chamber ( 30 ). The introduction of the high pressure fluid ( 62 ) and the inner diameter of the outlet section ( 32 ) relative to the inner diameter of the intermediate chamber ( 30 ) creates a partial vacuum to induce a flow of water ( 98 ) and contaminants ( 22 ) from a submerged surface ( 24 ) of a reservoir ( 26 ) through the vacuum apparatus ( 20 ). The water ( 98 ) and contaminants ( 22 ) are subsequently discharged from the reservoir ( 26 ) through a discharge hose ( 44 ) coupled to the outlet section ( 32 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fluid reservoirs,such as swimming pools. More specifically, the present invention relatesto an apparatus for cleaning contaminants from the bottom of suchreservoirs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In swimming pools, a leaf skimmer is typically utilized to skimoff leaves and other such contaminants that float on the surface andthat are pulled into the skimmer by the currents of the recirculatingwater in the pool. Unfortunately, some debris often sinks to the bottombefore it has an opportunity to be caught in the skimmer. In reservoirs,such as ponds, decorative pools, fountains and so forth that do not havea skimmer in them, contaminants blown in or dropped in the reservoirsultimately sink to the bottom of the reservoir. Contaminants thataccumulate on the bottom of a pool are unsightly. Moreover, suchcontaminants also accelerate the formation and growth of algae, and asthe contaminants decompose, the water can become cloudy.

[0003] Various devices are available for removing sediment, leaves,grass, rocks, and other contaminants from reservoirs, such as swimmingpools, ponds, decorative pools, fountains, and so forth. Many devicesare removably connected to the water intake of a pool recirculatingsystem. The devices then vacuum the contaminants from the bottom of thepool and deliver the contaminants to the pool filter from whichcontaminants may be removed or backwashed.

[0004] While removal of contaminants from the bottom of the pool in thismanner may be effective, such an apparatus often necessitates thedisassembly of part of the skimmer in order to connect the vacuum hoseto the water return for the pool circulation system. In addition, sincesuch devices only function when the reservoir includes a recirculatingwater supply, these vacuum devices cannot be utilized in reservoirs thatdo not have a recirculating water supply. Yet another problem is thatthe contaminants sucked up by the vacuum device can clog the poolfilter, decrease filter effectiveness, and eventually damage filtrationand pump system components, especially when backwashing is not performedon a regular basis.

[0005] To circumvent the problems of the aforementioned vacuum devices,some prior art pool vacuum systems have been developed that do notcouple to the swimming pool recirculating water supply. These poolvacuum systems are referred to herein as filter system bypass vacuums todifferentiate them from the pool vacuums, discussed above, that arecoupled to the water intake of a recirculating water supply for a pool.These filter system bypass vacuums use the addition of water into thepool to effect their operation. More specifically, water under pressureis supplied to the pool through a hose to force a stream of waterthrough nozzles in the filter system bypass vacuum that are directedtoward a debris pickup bag. The high pressure water creates a vacuum tosuck up debris from the bottom of a pool. This debris passes through thefilter system bypass vacuum and into a basket, filter, or other suchdebris pickup bag through the exit end of the vacuum. The filtered waterthen returns to the pool. In pools of all types, it is typicallynecessary to add additional water to replace water that has evaporatedfrom the pool and/or has been splashed out of the pool. Thus, systemslike this can serve the purpose of concurrently supplying the neededwater to the pool while functioning to pick up debris from the bottom ofthe pool.

[0006] Reservoirs, such as swimming pools, ponds, decorative pools,fountains, and so forth, can collect large amounts of leaves, rocks,dirt, and other contaminants through severe intentional or unintentionalneglect. Additionally, large quantities of contaminants can rapidlycollect in the bottom of a reservoir during a severe rainstorm and/ordust storm.

[0007] Pool vacuums that are coupled to the water intake of arecirculating water supply for a pool may be able to pick up some of thedebris. However, contaminants from a very dirty pool can rapidly clogthe filter of a recirculating water supply system. Thus, an individualmay have to stop frequently during the cleanup process to backwash thepool when the pool has large quantities of contaminants. Frequentbackwashing during a single cleaning process is highly undesirable interms of inconvenience, as well as wear and tear on the pump and filtersystem components.

[0008] While a filter system bypass vacuum may satisfactorily suck upsmall amounts of debris, or lightweight debris, such as leaves, grass,and so forth, such a vacuum cannot effectively pick up the largequantities of contaminants found in a neglected or storm ravaged pool.That is, the filter system bypass vacuums tend to generate insufficientsuction to pick up large quantities of contaminants and/or heavycontaminants, such as rocks. In addition, tiny particulates, such asdust, may be sucked up by the filter system bypass vacuum only to bereleased back into the pool through the filter bag of the vacuum. If thefilter system bypass vacuum is able to pick up the contaminants, thefilter bag of a filter system bypass vacuum rapidly fills with debris,thus necessitating frequent and inconvenient cleaning.

[0009] Both filter system vacuums and filter system bypass vacuums tendto cause significant “kick” in very dirty pools. The term “kick” isreferred to herein as the action in which dirt and dust is stirred upfrom the bottom in a cloud about the vacuum as the vacuum travels acrossthe bottom of the pool. The kick results from the contact of the vacuumhead with the bottom of the pool combined with insufficient suction ofthe vacuum. Contact occurs from the wheels of the vacuum head rolling onthe bottom of the pool, as well as, from the conventional stiff bristlesof the vacuum head rubbing across the bottom of the pool. Unfortunately,if the dirt and dust floats up from the bottom of the pool, it is lesslikely that the vacuum will be able to effectively suck up the dirt.

[0010] Due to the problems incurred with both the pool vacuums that arecoupled to the water intake and the filter system bypass vacuums, anindividual may be compelled to drain their pool to clean the bottom oftheir severely soiled pool. The individual may then be required toshovel out the accumulated contaminants from the bottom of the emptypool. Such action is highly undesirable because such extreme action istime consuming, labor intensive, and wastes significant quantities ofwater. Thus, what is needed is a pool vacuum apparatus that is effectivefor removing large quantities of contaminants found in a neglected orstorm ravaged pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that animproved vacuum apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of areservoir is provided.

[0012] It is another advantage of the present invention that a vacuumapparatus is provided that cleans the pool using an external watersource to generate suction.

[0013] Another advantage of the present invention is that a vacuumapparatus is provided that effectively removes contaminants in aseverely soiled pool.

[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is that a vacuumapparatus is provided that removes contaminants from the submergedsurface of a reservoir while producing minimal kick.

[0015] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a vacuumapparatus is provided that is of simple construction and is easy to use.

[0016] The above and other advantages of the present invention arecarried out in one form by a vacuum apparatus for removing contaminantsfrom a submerged surface of a reservoir. The vacuum apparatus includesan inlet section having a first inlet end and a second inlet end. Anintermediate chamber has a first chamber end and a second chamber end,the first chamber end being in fluid communication with the second inletend. The intermediate chamber exhibits a first inner diameter. An outletsection has a first outlet end in fluid communication with the secondchamber end. The outlet section exhibits a second inner diameter that isless than the first inner diameter. A fluid supply pipe resides insidethe intermediate chamber and has a fluid port directed toward the outletsection. The fluid supply pipe supplies fresh fluid under pressure fromthe fluid port toward the outlet section to induce a flow of fluid andthe contaminants from the reservoir into the first inlet end of theinlet section and through the intermediate chamber and the outletsection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A more complete understanding of the present invention may bederived by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the Figures, wherein like referencenumbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the vacuum apparatusof FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 shows sectional view along a longitudinal dimension of thevacuum apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a vacuum apparatus inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of avacuum apparatus 20 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view ofvacuum apparatus 20. Vacuum apparatus 20 effectively removescontaminants 22 from a submerged surface 24 of a reservoir 26. Reservoir26 may be a swimming pool, spa, pond, decorative pool, fountain, and soforth. Contaminants 22 include leaves, grass, dirt, rocks, and otherundesired debris in reservoir 26.

[0024] Vacuum apparatus 20 functions independent from a recirculatingwater supply (not shown). Thus, vacuum apparatus 20 may be utilized inreservoirs that do not have such a recirculating water supply. Inaddition, vacuum apparatus 20 is advantageously utilized for cleaningreservoirs that have become severely contaminated from intentional orunintentional neglect, or from severe weather phenomena.

[0025] Vacuum apparatus 20 includes an inlet section 28, an intermediatechamber 30, and an outlet section 32. Inlet section 28 has a first inletend 34 and a second inlet end 36. A first chamber end 38 of intermediatechamber 30 is in fluid communication with second inlet end 36 of inletsection 28. In addition, a second chamber end 40 of intermediate chamber30 is in fluid communication with a first outlet end 42 of outletsection 32. A flexible discharge hose 44 is coupled to a second outletend 46 of outlet section 32.

[0026] Vacuum apparatus 20 further includes a fluid supply pipe 46having an interior portion 48 (shown in ghost form) residing inside ofintermediate chamber 30 and an exterior portion 50 located outside ofintermediate chamber 30. A first end 52 of fluid supply pipe 46 atinterior portion 48 includes a fluid port 54 (best seen in FIG. 3), anda second end 56 of intermediate chamber 30 at exterior portion 50includes a coupling 58. Coupling 58 is a standard threaded couplingconfigured for connection to a fluid supply hose 60, such as aconventional garden hose, for supplying fresh water 62 to fluid supplypipe 46.

[0027] A conventional quick change handle 64 is coupled to vacuumapparatus 20. Quick change handle 64 includes detents 66 thatinterconnect with corresponding holes on a pole 68, such as thatcommonly used for a pool skimming net.

[0028] Intermediate chamber 30 is desirably formed from a rigid plasticmaterial and serves as a support structure for inlet section 28, outletsection 32, fluid supply pipe 46, and quick change handle 64. However,inlet section 28 is configured for direct contact with submerged surface24. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, inlet section 28 is formed from aflexible plastic material for enabling vacuum apparatus 20 toaccommodate non-uniformities in the smoothness of submerged surface 24.

[0029] Inlet section 28 includes a head 70 that forms first inlet end34, and a flexible tubular member 72 that terminates at second inlet end36. Second inlet end 36 connects with first chamber end 38 ofintermediate chamber 30 via a flanged coupling 74. By way of example,flanged coupling 74 includes a first segment 76 that extends into secondinlet end 36 and a second segment 78 that extends into first chamber end38. Flanged coupling 74 may be press-fit, glued, bolted or otherwisesecured to each of flexible tubular member 72 and intermediate chamber30 per conventional techniques.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, flexible tubular member 72 is formedfrom flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubing. Alternatively, flexibletubular member 72 may be formed from polyethylene, polypropylene,polyurethane, nylon, and so forth. In addition, head 70 may be formedfrom a flexible material, such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene,polyurethane, nylon, and so forth, so that head 70 will also flex toaccommodate non-uniformities of submerged surface 24.

[0031] Head 70 includes an extension member 80 formed at first inlet end36 that is oriented transverse to inlet section 28. In use, extensionmember 80 is brushed against submerged surface 24. Extension member 80may be approximately ten inches in length, so as to sweep an approximateten inch swath along submerged surface 24. A flexible rubber member 79is coupled to a rear edge 81 of head 70 along the length of extensionmember 80, and a pile material 82 is secured to flexible rubber member79. Pile material 82 may be a synthetic felt that is durable, odorresistant, mildew resistant, and will not break down from moisture.Alternatively, pile material 82 may be another fabric, such as chenille,having a fiber of wool, cotton, nylon, and the like, that stands up fromthe weave. Pile material 82 may be optionally removably coupled toflexible rubber member 79. Pile material 82 is made removable by use,for example, of hook and loop fasteners so that pile material 82 can bereplaced as it wears out. Flexible rubber member 79 and pile material 82serve to sweep or direct contaminants 22 toward an opening 84 (see FIG.3) in inlet section 28. The use of flexible rubber member 79 and pilematerial 82 combined with the suction created using vacuum apparatus 20(discussed below) results in a system that is effective at removing athick coating of dust from submerged surface 24 with minimal kick, i.e.minimal generation of a cloud of dust in the water. In addition, theflexibility of member 79 enables effective cleaning of the verticalwalls of the sides and, if present, stairs, of reservoir 26.

[0032] Head 70 and flexible tubular member 72 are described as separateparts of inlet section 28. However, the present invention is not limitedto such a configuration. Rather, head 70 and flexible tubular member 72may be formed as a single, integral unit utilizing fabrication andmolding techniques known to those skilled in the art.

[0033]FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of vacuum apparatus 20 along alongitudinal dimension. FIG. 3 draws attention to the variances of theinner diameters of inlet section 28, intermediate chamber 30, and outletsection 32. These changes in inner diameter generate a Venturi effectthat results in a high level of suction at first inlet end 34. This highlevel of suction is particularly advantageous for removing contaminantsfrom a severely soiled reservoir 26 (FIG. 1). Discharge hose 44, handle64, and extension member 80, shown in FIGS. 1-2, are not shown in FIG. 3for simplicity of illustration.

[0034] As mentioned briefly above, interior portion 48 of fluid supplypipe 46 resides within intermediate chamber 30 with fluid port 54 ofinterior portion 48 being located proximate second chamber end 40 ofintermediate chamber 30. More specifically, interior portion 48 isapproximately axially aligned with intermediate chamber 30. In addition,interior portion 48 of fluid supply pipe 45 is radially positionedtoward a center, longitudinal axis 88 of intermediate chamber 30. In apreferred embodiment, fluid supply pipe 46 is formed from one quarterinch copper tube with the length of pipe 46 from an elbow 90 to fluidport 54 being approximately two and one half inches.

[0035] Inlet section 28 exhibits a first inner diameter 92. Intermediatechamber 30 exhibits a second inner diameter 94, and outlet section 32exhibits a third inner diameter 96. First and second inner diameters 92and 94, respectively, are roughly equivalent, and third inner diameter96 is smaller than second inner diameter 94. In addition, discharge hose44 (FIGS. 1-2) has a diameter that is smaller than second inner diameter94. With particular regard to third inner diameter 96, third innerdiameter 96 of outlet section 32 is in a range of twenty-five to fiftypercent smaller than second inner diameter 94 of outlet section 32.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, first and second inner diameters 92and 94, respectively, are approximately one and one half inches, andthird inner diameter 96 is approximately one inch. Discharge hose 44friction fits onto outlet section 32. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment,discharge hose 44 (FIG. 2) may have an inner diameter of approximatelyone and a quarter inches. This configuration, combined with the onequarter inch fluid supply pipe 46 supplying fresh water 62, generatessuction at first inlet end 34 of inlet section 28.

[0037] The suction results from a Venturi effect. That is, as fluidflows past a constricted opening or through a constricted pipe, thevelocity of the fluid increases, and the pressure in the systemdecreases. Accordingly, a Venturi effect occurs when fresh water 62enters intermediate chamber 30 at second chamber end 40 and immediatelyflows into the constricted outlet section 32. The Venturi effectoccurring at outlet section 32 results in a corresponding pressuredecrease in inlet section 28 relative to the pressure outside of vacuumapparatus 20. Consequently, this pressure decrease results in suctionwhich induces a flow of water 98 mixed with contaminants 22 fromreservoir 26 into first inlet end 34 of inlet section 28. The relativelylarge size of first and second diameters 92 and 94, respectively, allowlarge profile contaminants, such as leaves, to be drawing into vacuumapparatus 20. Accordingly, water 98 and contaminants 22 are effectivelydrawn through intermediate chamber 30 and outlet section 32. Water 98and contaminants 22 are subsequently discharged from reservoir 26through discharge hose 44.

[0038] To use vacuum apparatus 20, a user attaches fluid supply hose 60(FIG. 1) to coupling 58 and attaches pole 68 to quick change handle 64.Vacuum apparatus 20 is submerged into reservoir 26, with a distal end ofdischarge hose 44 remaining outside of reservoir 26. A water sourcecoupled to fluid supply hose 60 is turned on to supply fresh water 62from fluid port 54 to into intermediate chamber 30 and out of outletsection 32. When pressure drops sufficiently, vacuum apparatus 20 willbegin to draw water 98 combined with contaminants 22 from submergedsurface 24. The user then sweeps head 70 across submerged surface 24(FIG. 2) with tubular member 72 and rubber member 79 flexing toaccommodate non-uniformities in submerged surface 24, changes in depthof reservoir 26, and distance from the edge of reservoir 26. Oncesubmerged surface 24 is clean, the suction can be stopped merely byturning off the water source supplying fresh water 62. Although some ofwater 98 is removed from reservoir 26 through vacuum apparatus 20(roughly nine gallons per minute), reservoir 26 need not be completelydrained in order to clean a very soiled pool. Thus, significant savingsin terms of time, labor, and water is achieved using vacuum apparatus20.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, FIG. 4 shows an-exploded perspective viewof a vacuum apparatus 100 in accordance with an alternative embodimentof the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of vacuumapparatus 100. Vacuum apparatus 100 operates on the same principle asvacuum apparatus 20 (FIG. 1) to remove contaminants 22 from submergedsurface 24 of reservoir 26.

[0040] Vacuum apparatus 100 includes an inlet section 102, anintermediate chamber 104 in fluid communication with inlet section 102,and an outlet section 106 in fluid communication with intermediatechamber 104. A fluid supply pipe 108 resides in intermediate chamber104, and includes a coupling 110 configured for connection to fluidsupply hose 60. Discharge hose 44 is coupled to an outlet end 112 ofoutlet section 106, and quick change handle 64 is coupled to vacuumapparatus 100 for interconnection with pole 68.

[0041] Inlet section 102 of vacuum apparatus 100 includes a head 114 anda tubular member 116. Tubular member 116, intermediate chamber 104, andoutlet section 106 are manufactured as an integral unit, and a sleeveportion 118 of head 114 slides over tubular member 116. Head 114 readilyfriction fits onto tubular member 116 for engagement with or removalfrom tubular member 116. In a preferred embodiment, head 114 includesextension member 80 and pile material 82. However, pile material 82surrounds inlet section 102 at an inlet end 119 of head 114. Morespecifically, pile material 82 is coupled about extension member 80 andan opening (not seen) into inlet section 102. Due to the friction fit ofhead 114 onto tubular member 116, head 114 may be easily replaced aspile material 82 wears out, or as enhancements to the shape and/or sizeof head 114 evolve.

[0042] Tubular member 116 and head 114 may be fabricated from a rigidplastic material. Alternatively, tubular member 116 may not be integralwith intermediate chamber 104, but may instead be fastened tointermediate chamber 104 through standard manufacturing methods. Assuch, tubular member 116 and head 114 can be produced from flexiblematerial for enabling vacuum apparatus 100 to accommodatenon-uniformities in the smoothness of submerged surface 24.

[0043] The inner diameters intermediate chamber 104 and outlet section106 correspond respectively to second inner diameter 94 and third innerdiameter 96, discussed in connection with FIG. 3. However, tubularmember 116 exhibits a first inner diameter 122 that is smaller than theinner diameter of intermediate chamber 104. Although, suction isachieved due to the reduction of diameter from the larger second innerdiameter 94 (FIG. 3) of intermediate chamber 30 (FIG. 3) to the smallerthird inner diameter 96 (FIG. 3) of outlet section 32 (FIG. 3), it hasbeen discovered that the smaller first inner diameter 122 of tubularmember 116 relative to the inner diameter of intermediate chamber 104further enhances this suction. Such enhanced suction is particularlyadvantageous when removing fine particulate contaminants 22, such as,dust, from submerged surface 24 while producing minimal kick.

[0044] Tubular member 116 forms an elongated neck through which water120 and contaminants 22 travel as they are drawn through vacuumapparatus 100. Vacuum apparatus 100 generates suction in a similarmanner to vacuum apparatus 100. However, the elongated neck of tubularmember 116 with the smaller inner diameter relative to the innerdiameter of intermediate chamber 104 may serve to further enhance thesuction capability of vacuum apparatus 100.

[0045] In summary, the present invention teaches of an improved vacuumapparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a reservoir, such as aswimming pool. The vacuum apparatus utilizes an external water sourcethat generates suction through a Venturi effect to draw water andcontaminants from the reservoir. The constriction of the inlet andoutlet sections of the vacuum apparatus relative to the intermediatechamber, and the positioning of a fluid supply pipe within theintermediate chamber proximate the outlet section generates significantsuction to effectively remove contaminants from a severely soiled pool.Moreover, unlike conventional apparatuses, the enhanced suctioncapability of the vacuum apparatus readily removes contaminants fromdeep reservoirs, such as, eight to ten foot diving pools. In addition,the shape of the vacuum head and the inclusion of the flexible rubbermember and the pile material on the vacuum head serve to sweep, or drawin, contaminants from the submerged surface of the reservoir whileproducing minimal kick. The operation of the vacuum apparatus using anexternal water source is simpler than connection to the recirculatingwater supply of a pool, and enables the vacuum apparatus to be used inreservoirs that do not include a recirculating water supply system.

[0046] Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that various modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope ofthe appended claims. For example, the principles of the presentinvention may be adapted for use to remove particulate contaminants fromthe submerged surface of a reservoir containing a fluid other thanwater. In addition, the discharge hose of the vacuum apparatus can beadapted to couple to a water intake of a recirculating water supply fora pool, so that the water introduced into the vacuum apparatus can bereturned to the reservoir.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum apparatus for removing contaminants froma submerged surface of a reservoir comprising: an inlet section having afirst inlet end and a second inlet end; an intermediate chamber having afirst chamber end and a second chamber end, said first chamber end beingin fluid communication with said second inlet end, and said intermediatechamber exhibiting a first inner diameter; an outlet section having afirst outlet end in fluid communication with said second chamber end,said outlet section exhibiting a second inner diameter that is less thansaid first inner diameter; and a fluid supply pipe residing inside saidintermediate chamber and having a fluid port directed toward said outletsection, said fluid supply pipe supplying fresh fluid under pressurefrom said fluid port toward said outlet section to induce a flow offluid and said contaminants from said reservoir into said first inletend of said inlet section and through said intermediate chamber and saidoutlet section.
 2. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidinlet section exhibits a third inner diameter, said third inner diameterbeing approximately equivalent to said first inner diameter of saidintermediate chamber.
 3. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said inlet section exhibits a third inner diameter, said thirdinner diameter being less than said first inner diameter of saidintermediate chamber.
 4. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1further comprising an extension member formed at said first inlet endand oriented transverse to said inlet section.
 5. A vacuum apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible rubber member coupledto a rear edge of said inlet section at said first inlet end.
 6. Avacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pilematerial at said first inlet end of said inlet section.
 7. A vacuumapparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pile material is removablycoupled to said inlet section at said first inlet end.
 8. A vacuumapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inlet section is formedfrom a flexible plastic, and said inlet section flexes to accommodatenon-uniformities in said surface.
 9. A vacuum apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said second inner diameter of said outlet section is ina range of twenty-five to fifty percent smaller than said first innerdiameter.
 10. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidoutlet section has a second outlet end, and said apparatus furthercomprises a discharge hose coupled to said second outlet end fordischarging said fluid and said contaminants from said reservoir.
 11. Avacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid supply piperesiding inside said intermediate chamber is approximately axiallyaligned with said intermediate chamber.
 12. A vacuum apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid supply pipe is radially positionedtoward a center of said intermediate chamber.
 13. A vacuum apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid port of said fluid supply pipe islocated proximate said second chamber end of said intermediate chamber.14. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid supplypipe comprises: an interior portion located inside of said intermediatechamber, said fluid port being located at a first end of said interiorportion; an exterior portion located outside of said intermediatechamber having a second end; and a coupling located at said second endfor connection to a fluid supply hose for supplying said fresh fluid tosaid fluid supply pipe.
 15. A vacuum apparatus for removing contaminantsfrom a submerged surface of a reservoir comprising: an inlet sectionhaving a first inlet end and a second inlet end; an extension memberformed at said first inlet end and oriented transverse to said inletsection; a flexible rubber member coupled along a rear edge of saidextension member; a pile material coupled to said flexible rubbermember; an intermediate chamber having a first chamber end and a secondchamber end, said first chamber end being in fluid communication withsaid second inlet end, and said intermediate chamber exhibiting a firstinner diameter; an outlet section having a first outlet end in fluidcommunication with said second chamber end, said outlet sectionexhibiting a second inner diameter that is less than said first innerdiameter; and a fluid supply pipe residing inside said intermediatechamber and having a fluid port directed toward said outlet section,said fluid supply pipe supplying fresh fluid under pressure from saidfluid port toward said outlet section to induce a flow of fluid and saidcontaminants from said reservoir into said first inlet end of said inletsection and through said intermediate chamber and said outlet section.16. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said inlet sectionis formed from a flexible plastic, and said inlet section flexes toaccommodate non-uniformities in said surface.
 17. A vacuum apparatus forremoving contaminants from a submerged surface of a reservoircomprising: an inlet section having a first inlet end and a second inletend, said inlet section exhibiting a first inner diameter; anintermediate chamber having a first chamber end and a second chamberend, said first chamber end being coupled to said second inlet end, andsaid intermediate chamber exhibiting a second inner diameter; an outletsection having a first outlet end and a second outlet end, said firstoutlet end being in fluid communication with said second chamber end,and said outlet section exhibiting a third inner diameter, said firstand third inner diameters being less than said second inner diameter; afluid supply pipe residing inside said intermediate chamber and having afluid port directed toward said outlet section, said fluid supply pipebeing radially positioned toward a center of said intermediate chamber,and said fluid supply pipe supplying fresh fluid under pressure fromsaid fluid port toward said outlet section to induce a flow of fluid andsaid contaminants from said reservoir into said first inlet end of saidinlet section and through said intermediate chamber and said outletsection; and a discharge hose coupled to said second outlet end fordischarging said fluid and said contaminants from said reservoir.
 18. Avacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said fluid supply pipecomprises: an interior portion located inside of said intermediatechamber, said fluid port being located at a first end of said interiorportion; an exterior portion located outside of said intermediatechamber and having a second end; and a coupling located at said secondend for connection to a fluid supply hose for supplying said fresh fluidto said fluid supply pipe.
 19. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 17wherein said fluid supply pipe is approximately axially aligned withsaid intermediate chamber.
 20. A vacuum apparatus as claimed in claim 17wherein said fluid port of said fluid supply pipe is located proximatesaid second chamber end of said intermediate chamber.